Dear Poetess Vinny,
I just got my first job as an adjunct professor of English at a relatively small school with not much of a dress code. Most of the other professors wear a button-down and slacks, but I want to stand out and look like a writer. How can I make myself look hip and approachable, while remaining professional?
Yours,
Michael
Dear Michael,
Thank you for your question, and congratulations on your new job and title! I know when I became an adjunct, I was elated just to be able to select “Professor” in the dropdown menu on forms and theater tickets.
Most writer folks find their way into academia at some point, often as students and/or later in life as professors, lecturers, and guest readers. This is both totally cool and totally weird to many of us who love books, love writing, and who are quickly learning that our laid-back student vibe and our grunge, East-Village-poet look don’t work for each and every occasion.
Let’s start with the basics.
The Classic Collegiate.
Come on, you know you secretly wish you had a random English degree from Oxford or Cambridge, or you have a crush on British equestrians, or you just want to look like a classy intellectual. If you meet any of these criteria, then this look is for you.
1. A button-down, a tie (optional), a sweater, pants or straight-leg jeans, a jacket (seasonal) and oxfords or loafers.
2. This is a great look for autumn, winter, and early spring when it’s cold outside. Stick to earth tones (browns, grays, reds, greens) or have fun with the color of your tie and the pattern of your button-down, but don’t go too crazy. The allure of this style is the idea of elegance in simplicity.
3. For women, add a knee-high boot (winter), flats (fall/spring), or a low heel (spring/summer) or replace the tie and sweater with a statement necklace.
The Serious Writer.
Okay, okay, you don’t really care about England, but you DO care about being taken seriously, especially when you’re new and especially when you’re a young-in. I got my first teaching job at 23 and my first professorship at 24, so I was constantly trying to look older, or at least more professional.
1. I wear lots of button-downs, cardigans, and blazers because no matter what else you’re wearing, you can’t help but look professional. Got jeans and a t-shirt? Add a blazer. Cute dress with spaghetti straps? Slap on a button-down. (Because seriously, unless you’re David Lehman, how many weeks can you keep up the full-on collegiate look?)
2. Have fun with your shoes and accessories! Patterns, accents, bright colors; hats, watches, try them all! Your understated outfit will give your look space to experiment.
3. Because you’re a writer, you can get away with wearing jeans to work or a tight-fitting pant or a polo, and as long as you don’t look too casual, you won’t have to worry about your students not listening to you because you look like you’re still in college, rather than teaching a college class.
and for the rest of us…
The Last Minute Miracle
It’s true, there will be days when you sleep in and it’s raining and you have exactly fifteen minutes to get ready and go, and you simply won’t have time to give a s#%! about what you put on your body, as long as you can grab a cup of coffee and hop on the next train. But believe me, there is hope.
I feel like guys generally get the easy way out on this one, because like Michael said in his question, the button-down and slacks is always an acceptable choice (far right). But for those of you who want something a little different, here are some (mostly unisex!) ideas.
1. (Far right) A patterned sweater and jeans and waterproof shoes.
2. (Near right) A long-sleeve with a scarf, any kind of bottom, boots.
3. (Near left) A dress or tunic over pantyhose or leggings, dress shoes or boots.
General tips for looking your best.
The worst thing that can happen to you if you’re sporting these looks is that your clothes are wrinkled or your bed head is nuclear, meaning, even though you followed the rules, you still look, well, untidy.
1. Get yourself a steamer. You can get one for $50 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and it takes literal minutes to turn your frumpy shirt into a sleek top, and you’ll look 100 times better.
2. Keep up a basic hair and skincare routine. It’s not about having perfect eyebrows or makeup, but looking clean and put-together. Everyone should wash and moisturize their face daily and clean and brush their hair regularly. Being a writer doesn't mean you have to look like Hemingway at 5am, if you know what I mean.
3. And guys, manage your facial hair. Having a mustache or a beard is not a get-out-free card.
***
Remember that professional doesn’t have to mean “boring” or “uniform.” Have fun with it, and be confident. Your look should scream “I’m getting paid to be a writer! Take that, world!”
For more work from Poetess Vinny, check out her weekly write-up of Next Line, Please, Tuesdays on Best American Poetry or follow her blog, Vinny the Snail.